Definition
The 2020 Empress's Cup was the 42nd edition of the Empress's Cup (皇后杯, Kōgō Hai), the annual national women's football (soccer) knockout tournament organized by the Japan Football Association (JFA).
Overview
The competition traditionally involves clubs from the top tiers of Japanese women's football, including teams from the Nadeshiko League (the former top division) and Japanese regional leagues. The 2020 edition was substantially affected by the COVID‑19 pandemic, leading to a delayed schedule. While the early rounds were conducted later in 2020, the semi‑finals and final were postponed to early 2021. The final match was played on 11 January 2021 at Saitama Stadium 2002. According to the majority of available reports, NTV Beleza secured the championship, adding another title to their record of Empress's Cup victories.
Etymology / Origin
The term Empress's Cup translates the Japanese 皇后杯 (Kōgō Hai). The name honors the Japanese Empress, reflecting a tradition of associating major national sports trophies with members of the Imperial Family. The competition was inaugurated in 1979, mirroring the men's Emperor's Cup (天皇杯, Tennō Hai).
Characteristics
- Format: Single‑elimination knockout. Teams are drawn randomly, with matches decided over 90 minutes; draws are settled by extra time and, if necessary, penalty shoot‑outs.
- Eligibility: Open to all women’s football clubs affiliated with the JFA, spanning professional, semi‑professional, and amateur levels.
- Scheduling: Historically held throughout the calendar year, culminating in a final at a neutral, high‑capacity stadium. The 2020 edition’s schedule was altered due to public‑health restrictions, resulting in a final held in the subsequent year.
- Prize: The champion receives the Empress’s Cup trophy and qualifies for the subsequent season’s Empress’s Cup participation rights; there is no direct continental qualification attached to the tournament.
- Broadcasting: Matches, especially the later rounds, are televised domestically and streamed internationally through JFA‑affiliated platforms.
Related Topics
- Empress's Cup (general): Overview of the tournament’s history, format, and significance within Japanese women's football.
- Japan Football Association (JFA): Governing body responsible for organizing the Empress's Cup and overseeing football development in Japan.
- Nadeshiko League: The former top‑flight women’s league in Japan; many participating clubs in the Empress's Cup compete in this league.
- 2020 Nadeshiko League season: Parallel domestic league competition that ran under pandemic‑related adjustments.
- Women's football in Japan: Broader context of the sport’s development, including the national team (Nadeshiko Japan) and youth programs.
Note: While the above information reflects the consensus of publicly available sources, some specific details—such as exact match dates and the final score—are subject to verification. Accurate information is not confirmed for every element of the 2020 edition.